Classification

The Japanese puffer fish
has membrane bound organelles and linear DNA that is contained
in a membrane bound nucleus.

Kingdom: Animalia

They are
multicellular, reproduce sexually and do not make their own food
(hetertrophic).

Phyla: Chordata

They have a hollow nerve cord that is
dorsal to the spinal cord, bilateral symmetry, a complete
digestive tract, a thyroid gland, and a post anal tail. Their
embryo also have gill slits.

Class: Actinopterygii

They are fish with ray fins that are webs
of skin supported by bones.

Order: Teteraodontiformes

They are fish that have moved away from
the long and thin body plan, in this order is found box-like,
globular, square, and flat. These fish have highly modified
skeletons, often with bones absent.

Family: Tetraodontidae

This family of fish have four large teeth
that are fused into two grinding platforms, an upper and a
lower. They are also the non-spiny, non-armored puffer fish.

Genus: Takifugu

Puffer fish that can be
located between 45° latitude north and 45°
latitude south. They are also all have very similar DNA
sequences.

Species: Takifugu
rubripes

Puffer fish that is found in
North Western Pacific. Gray color on dorsal side and while
covering on ventral side.

The Japanese
puffer fish is very closely related to all other puffer fish and
also blowfish, balloon fish, globe fish and toad fish. This
phylogenic tree is showing the presumed timing of genetic
duplication. This figure is used with permission, from
Fish
Genomes, Comparatvie Genomics and Vertebrate Evolution by
Froschauer, A., et. al. The Teleosts (3R) are comprised of
fish who have whole-genome duplication.